Combination Vibrational And Thermal Jumper

ABSTRACT

The disclosed inventive concept comprises a form-fitting body suit, or thermal juniper for wearing by a person, the jumper further comprising an internalized plurality of separate but integral pads. Each of the pads is secured within a pocket attached to the interior surface of the jumper, the pockets corresponding to the location of specific parts of the human anatomy when the jumper is donned by a wearer. Each pad functions as 1) a conductor of varying ranges of heat and 2) a source of vibration when integral wiring in the pad is activated by electrical current generated by at least one battery or rechargeable battery pack.

CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not applicable.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION (1) Field of the Invention

This inventive concept relates to thermal heating pad products and, moreparticularly, to a wearable thermal heat padded suit for providing userswith a way to soothe joint and muscle pain throughout the body andfurther, promote healing of injuries to the body. Prior versions ofthermal garments have been normally provided with internal heatingelements. An electrical current directed to the heating element willcause the same to heat the garment and the body around which the garmentis disposed.

This is particularly important in these times of high energy costsbecause thermal garments can be worn within a dwelling during winter andthe dwelling thermostat can be set at a minimum while the occupantswithin are warm and comfortable. Thermal garments are a very efficientway of maintaining heating comfort for individuals because a veryMinimum area is being heated and the occurrences of heat loss aregreatly minimized.

(2) Description of the Related Art, Including Information DisclosedUnder 37 CFR 1.97 and 1.98

U.S. Pat. No. 3,028,857; Parker, M. E.; Jan. 30, 1961 This inventionrelates generally to clothing, and more particularly, to a new andimproved set of clothing for exercising having self-massaging meansincorporated therein. The disclosed body-suit garment provides gentlemassaging of the entire body while exercise is taking place. Theinterior surface of the garment is composed of knit or rubberizedmaterial having vulcanized on the surface a series of close-spacedrubber or other soft massaging tips.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,938,628; Oguri, et al; Aug. 17, 1999. Disclosed is asuit-type cosmetic air massage device for providing air pressuringmassage upon a human whole body. To provide air pressuring massage,suit-shaped parts are made to cover a human whole body, and can beseparated into an upper suit-shaped part and a lower suit-shaped part.And plural air bags are symmetrically installed within the left andright side from the position corresponding to the hand region to theposition corresponding to the shoulder regions of the upper suit-shapedpart, and from the position corresponding to the feet pans to the waistpart of the lower suit-shaped part. These air bags are divided into thefirst, second, third and fourth group, and each air bag in each groupcan be supplied with air simultaneously or independently in order fromconnecting with the intake/exhaust instrument by an intaking/exhaustinghose.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,384,369; Prince, L; May 24, 1983. An exercise suitincludes a jacket and pants having numerous pockets. The pockets carrybags containing liquid to provide a weight load and massaging musclestimulation during body movement. The pockets are so distributed aboutthe user's body as to provide dynamic contact with externally exposedmuscles. The bags are configured to be received within correspondingpockets of the suit and are formed of vinyl panels with dielectricallywelded seams. A closure is provided to permit the user to fill each hagwith a desired quantity of liquid, and the outer panel of each bagincludes an insulating foam layer. To permit automatic adjustment fordifferent body sizes, the sleeves and legs of the suit arelongitudinally slit and an elastic strap draws the opposite edges ofeach slit toward one another thus maintaining the suit and its dynamicload in proximate contact with the user's limbs,

U.S. Pat. No. 3,521,621; Smith, M. G.; Jul. 28, 1970. The invention is asuit for circulation of fluid around the body for use in conjunctionwith a physical therapy apparatus is provided having a pliable enclosuremeans which maintains the circulating fluid therein. A fluid-tightfastening means is positioned around the body; Connecting means aremounted on the exterior of the enclosure means so that the enclosuremeans and thus various parts of the body can be secured to the physicaltherapy apparatus so that the body can be exercised while fluid iscirculating through the enclosure means and thus around the body.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,732,140; Stoffregen, R. Mar. 22, 1988. A vibratorymassage device for use in conjunction with therapeutic exercises. Thedevice has several belts of varying sizes, to which one or two vibratorunits can be releasably attached for use on various body parts. Anelastic band on each belt firmly presses the vibratory unit against thebelt web when the belt is tightened, so as to preventirritation-producing movement between the belt and the patient's skin.The motor of the vibratory unit is provided with a carrier bearing andeccentric-operated air flow means to permit miniaturization of thevibratory unit without loss of effectiveness.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The disclosed inventive concept comprises a form-fitting body suit, orthermal jumper 1 for wearing by a person, the jumper 1 furthercomprising an internalized plurality of separate but integral paddedelements (items 20-53 and 60-63). Each of the padded elements(collectively, item 9) is securely attached to the interior surface ofthe jumper 1 so as to correspond to the location of a specific part ofthe human anatomy when the jumper 1 is donned by a wearer. Reference ismade to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2.

Each padded element 9 functions as 1) a conductor of varying, ranges ofheat and 2) a source of gentle vibrating action when the padded element9 is activated by electrical current generated by a wrist-worncontroller 2 through dc-powered sources. In order to make the disclosedthermal jumper 1 practical and useful, it is necessary to utilize dobattery power so that the jumper 1 can be worn without the restrictionsand bulkiness of an AC power supply system.

The bulkiness and weight factor alone has given rise to many drawbacksand disadvantages and has generally discouraged the wide use andacceptance of such thermal garments. First, an appropriate batterypackage may be heavy and cumbersome. This functional issue is importantsince the wearer of the, jumper 1 must transport the electrical supplyassembly wherever the jumper 1 is taken. Secondly, a battery package canbe expensive and often the life of the associated batteries isrelatively short. Finally, those batteries that are rechargeable mayrequire a relatively long period for recharging.

The use of thermal garments for outdoor use, either while participatingin recreation or at work has been substantial but unsupported to a largeextent by suitable electrical power accessory. Accordingly, a needremains for a wearable apparatus in order to overcome thepreviously-described shortcomings.

The present inventive concept satisfies such a need by providing athermal jumper 1 that is convenient and easy to use. The bodysuit/jumper 1 is lightweight yet durable in design, versatile in itsapplications, and constructed to provide a user with a method ofsoothing joint and muscle pain throughout the body.

Index to Nomenclature of Invention Components  1. Jumper  2. Controller 3. Wiring  4. Pad pocket  5. Side pocket  6. Skin  7. Inner material 8. Outer material  9. Pad 10. Zipper 11. Window temp display 12. Windowmassage level display 13. Front padding elements 14. Rear paddingelement 15. Temperature increase 16. Temperature decrease 17. Vibrationlevel increase 18. Vibration level decrease 19. Seam 20. Left footinstep 21. Right foot instep 22. Left ankle 23. Right ankle 24. Leftrear calf 25. Right rear calf 26. Left kneecap 27. Right kneecap 28.Left inner knee 29. Right inner knee 30. Left inner thigh 31. Rightinner thigh 32. Left outer thigh 33. Right outer thigh 34. Left gluteous35. Right gluteous 36. Lower spine 37. Mid-spine 38. Upper spine 39. n/a40. Left top shoulder 41. Right top shoulder 42. Left shoulder blade 43.Right shoulder blade 44. Left front shoulder 45. Right front shoulder46. Left elbow 47. Right elbow 48. Left arm fold 49. Right arm fold 50.Left bicep 51. Right bicep 52. Left wrist 53. Right wrist 54. n/a 55.Heating element 56. Core/vibration generator 57.-59. n/a 60. Left lung61. Right lung 62. Left breast 63. Right breast 64. Right neck 65. Leftneck 66. n/a 67. Right abdomen 68. Left abdomen 69. n/a 70. On-Offswitch 71. Upper/Lower control 72. Full Jumper control

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS AS EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTSOF THE INVENTIVE CONCEPT

FIG. 1 is a frontal view of a stylized version of the thermal jumper 1showing predominately the frontal padding elements 13 system includingpads of the shoulders 40, 41, biceps 50, 51, lungs 60, 61, inner elbows48, 49, lower abdomen 68, inner thighs 30, 31, kneecaps 26, 27, ankles22, 23, and foot insteps 20, 21. Also shown is the wrist-mountedcontroller 2. The frontal padding elements 13 shown typify the preferredembodiment of the thermal jumper 1. Other embodiments may contain moreor fewer of the padding elements 13. Further, the relative size of thefrontal padding elements 13 as shown, are for illustrative purposesonly, and do not serve to limit or restrict their size or location.

FIG. 2 is a rear view of a stylized version of the thermal jumper 1which predominantly shows the rear padding elements 14 system, includingneck 64, 65, shoulder tops 40, 41, shoulder blades 42, 43, spinal areas36, 37, 38, elbows 46, 47, wrists 52, 53, gluteous 34, 35 inner knees28, 29, and calves 24, 25. The rear padding elements 14 shown typify thepreferred embodiment of the thermal jumper 1. Other embodiments maycontain more or fewer of the padding elements 14. Further, the relativesize of the rear padding elements 14 as shown, are fir illustrativepurposes only, and do not serve to limit or restrict their size orlocation.

FIG. 3 illustrates a stylized version of the typical pad 9 heating andvibrational element used in the thermal jumper 1, further showing wiring3 that may conduct electrical current to the individual pad 9.

FIG. 4 depicts a cross-sectional view of the right inner thigh 31 pad 9.

FIG. 5 illustrates the wrist-mounted controller 2 along with variouscontrol settings available.

FIG. 6 depicts the typical construction of wiring 3 that may be utilizedin the jumper 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The objects, features, and advantages of the inventive concept presentedin this application are more readily understood when referring to theaccompanying drawings. The drawings, totaling six figures, show thebasic components and functions of the preferred embodiment. In theseveral figures, like reference numbers are used in each figure tocorrespond to the same component as may be depicted in other figures.

The disclosed inventive concept comprises a form-fitting body suit,referred to as a thermal “jumper” 1. The thermal jumper 1 is for wearingby a person who seeks the soothing application of warm temperatures to avariety of locations on the anatomy, particularly aching joints or areasof muscular distress due to injury. These temperatures are generated bya plurality of frontal pack systems 13 comprising heat padding elements9 and a plurality of rear pack systems 14 of the same type heatingpadding elements 9. A separate, continuous wiring system 3 not onlyconveys electrical current for heating each of the pads 9, but alsoprovides electrical current to induce minute vibrations emitting fromeither or both the frontal pack 13 or the rear pack 14 systems,whichever of these the wearer selects.

Referring to the drawing figures in general, the thermal jumper 1preferably includes heating pads 20-68 located on every major muscle andjoint in the body, a controller 2 with separate switches for adjustingthe heat intensity, as well as setting the desired level of vibration inthe pads 9. The components must be powered by a D-cell rechargeablebattery. The thermal jumper 1 may be manufactured from materials commonto the heating pad, industry with all the consumer safety matters takeninto consideration.

The heat and vibrational therapy provided by the thermal jumper 1 areeffective in relieving tightness of various muscle groups and recoveringfrom muscular injuries. Blood circulation is improved due to themoderate heat application dilating the blood vessels in those areas incontact with the pads 9. Blood circulates more readily throughout themuscles, the spinal column, and bodily organs. The functioning of thelungs improves while wearing the thermal jumper 1, as oxygen flow isimproved. Slight perspiration, which may be generated by use of thethermal jumper 1, helps the body rid itself of toxins through the poresof the skin. The heat applied by the pads 9 of the thermal jumper 1promotes the body's level of cortisol, the body's primary stresshormone, thereby allowing a wearer to relax and de stress.

The thermal jumper 1 is formed from elastomeric material and is suitablysized and shaped for being, tightly fitted along the skin 6 surface areaof a human body. The jumper 1 accessories include a rechargeable powersource, a controller 2 electrically coupled thereto and a plurality ofsensors in communication with the controller 2. The sensors regularlydetect the real time temperature of various body regions and cooperatewith a plurality of heat emitting pads 20-68 for improving bloodcirculation throughout the user's blood vessels.

The pads 9 of the front and rear pack systems 13, 14 are secured withinpad pockets 4 fabricated between a first inner material 7 and a secondouter material 8, both of these materials being conjoined at a seam 19about the perimeter of each pad pocket 4. The heating pads 20-68, asstated previously, are secured within pad pockets 4, and a seam 19 ateach pad also forms a junction with the inner and outer materials 7, 8,thereby comprising the overall contour of the thermal jumper 1. Theentirety of the thermal jumper 1, including the inner and outermaterials 7, 8 and the locations of the heating pads 20-68 correspond tothe location of specific muscular groupings and/or joints of the humananatomy when the thermal jumper 1 is donned by a user.

Beginning with FIG. 1, there is illustrated a frontal view of a stylizedversion of the thermal jumper 1, showing primarily the front pad heatingelements 13. Starting with the upper portion of the thermal jumper 1,there is shown a right neck pad 64, a left neck pad 65, a right topshoulder pad 41, a left top shoulder pad 40, a right breast pad 63, aleft breast pad 62, a right lung pad 61, a left lung pad 62, a rightabdominal pad 67, and a abdominal pad 68.

Continuing with FIG. 1, there is further shown a mid-body zipper 10, aright front shoulder pad 45, a left front shoulder pad 44, a left biceppad 51, a right bicep pad 50, a right arm fold pad 49, a left arm foldpad 48, a right side pocket 5, a right outer thigh pad 33, a left outerthigh pad 32, a right inner thigh pad 31, a left inner thigh pad 30, aright kneecap pad 27, a left kneecap pad 26, a right calf pad 25, a leftcalf pad 24, a right ankle pad 23, a left ankle pad 22, a right footinstep pad 21, and a left foot instep pad 20.

In referring to FIG. 2, there is shown the general arrangement of therear pack systems 14. Starting with the upper portion of the thermaljumper 1, there is shown the right neck pad 64, left neck pad 65, righttop shoulder pad 41, left top shoulder pad 40, a left shoulder bladepad, a right shoulder blade pad 43, a left elbow pad 46, a right elbowpad 47, a left wrist pad 52, a right wrist pad 53, an upper spine pad38, a mid-spine pad 37, a lower spine pad 36, a left gluteous pad, aright gluteous pad 35, a left breast pad 62, a right lung pad 61, a leftlung pad 62, a right abdominal pad 67, a left inner thigh pad 30, aright inner thigh pad 31, a left inner knee pad 28, a right inner kneepad 29, a left rear calf pad 24, and a right rear calf pad 25.

Integral to the thermal jumper 1 are sections of thin, web-like materiallocated under each arm pit and the crotch area, thereby providingventilation to these parts of the body.

FIG. 3 illustrates a stylized, cross-sectional view of the typical pad 9heating and vibrational component used in the thermal jumper 1, furthershowing the location of a length or plurality of lengths of wiring 3which becomes heated by electrical current supplied to the individualpad 9. The wiring 3, in the preferred embodiment, is composed ofinsulated, thin carbon fiber that works from low voltage outputs of 12to 24 volts. The wiring 3, is fabricated integral to each pad 9 and isfurther connected to a general distribution wire leading from a batteryor battery packs contained within a side pocket 5 of the thermal jumper1. The heat may thus be supplied to all pads 9 which internally containone, or a plurality of the wires 3.

Direct current electricity is required in the preferred embodiment andmay be provided by means of single-use batteries or one or morerechargeable battery packs contained in the side pocket 5. In otherembodiments, carbon fiber embedded in the pads 9 may be the heatconducting mechanism.

In the preferred embodiment, the thermal jumper 1 will utilizerechargeable batteries, which are available in a variety of sizes toaccommodate the electrical current needs of the thermal jumper 1.Rechargeable battery sizes include AAA, AA, C, D, and 9 volt. Further,many brands of rechargeable batteries are sold as sets that include acharger. An appropriate battery charger may be included as part of thecomponents of the thermal jumper 1. Nickel-Zinc and Lithium-Ionbatteries require specialized chargers. However, nickel-metal hydrideand nickel-cadmium batteries can be used with universal chargers. Insome embodiments, the thermal jumper 1 may be provided electricalcurrent by means of an ac-dc adaptor.

FIG. 4 depicts a cross-sectional view of the right inner thigh pad 31,typical of the general jumper 1 pads 9, as it is pressed against theskin 6 of the inner thigh of a wearer. In FIG. 4, the pad 9 isillustrated fitting within a pad pocket 4, the pad pocket 4 having beenformed by the inner material 7 and the outer material 8. A portion ofstitching 19, connecting the inner material 7 and the outer material 8,is shown at each terminal end of the pocket 4.

The controller 2 may, in different embodiments, include an electronicuser interface preferably comprising a set of controls, a processor, anda memory function to effectively operate the heating pads 9 according tothe needs of the user. The aforementioned user interface may include avariety of stand-alone or shared devices that are capable of generatingand transmitting a control signal upon receiving a user input. Forexample, exemplary user interface devices may include a remotecontroller employing RF, infra-red, acoustic, or cellular technology, aswell known in the industry.

In alternate embodiments, the user interface may include a handheldcomputer, a PDA, a cell phone, a keyboard, a mouse, etc. that may becomprised of commercially available hardware and software operatingsystems, for example. The aforementioned user interfaces are intended torepresent a broad category of exemplary user interfaces capable offunctioning in accordance with the present invention. Of course, theuser interfaces may include other components, peripherals and softwareapplications provided they are compatible and capable of operating thenumerous pads 9 contained within the thermal juniper 1.

For providing vibration movement and sensations to each pad 9, the meansutilized may be an electrical current directed to multi-levelpiezo-electric chips or directed to mechanical vibrators imbedded withinthe pads 9. Electrically-driven mechanical vibrators, which vibrate at afrequency of 20-to-50 cycles per second, may be incorporated into eachof the pads 9. Studies have shown that muscle tension caused by physicalinjury, emotional stress, or overwork, can be released by a combinationof heat and vibration. Peter La Grasse, LMT; Symposium, Complementaryand Alternative Medicine, Jun. 19, 2003.

While preferred embodiments of the present inventive concept have been,shown and disclosed herein, it will be obvious to those persons skilledin the art that such embodiments are presented by way of example only,and not as a limitation to the scope of the inventive concept. Numerousvariations, changes, and substitutions may occur or be suggested tothose skilled in the art without departing from the intent, scope, andtotality of this inventive concept. Such variations, changes, andsubstitutions may involve other features which are already known per seand which may be used instead of, in combination with, or in addition tofeatures already disclosed herein. Accordingly, it is intended that thisinventive concept be inclusive of such variations, changes, andsubstitutions, and by no means limited by, the scope of the claimspresented herein.

What is claimed is:
 1. A one-piece, form-fitting body suit for wearingby a person, the body suit comprising an internalized plurality ofseparate, flexible pads, each pad being secured within pockets integralto the body suit, the pockets corresponding to the location of variousparts of the human anatomy, and further each pad is fabricated withelectrical wiring for connectivity to a source and means of generatingheat to each pad.
 2. A body suit as in claim 1, wherein the beat sourceis mechanically or automatically controlled to a specific temperaturerange as controlled by a wearer of the body suit.
 3. A body suit as inclaim 1, wherein a wrist-mounted controller device is utilized tomechanically or automatically control the heat source to provide heatwithin a specific temperature range.
 4. A body suit as in claim 1,wherein the source and means of supplying heat is directed anddistributed to any combination of pads of the body suit.
 5. A body suitas in claim 1, wherein, the means and source of supplying heat to thepads consists of electrically-powered carbon fiber elements embedded thepads.
 6. A body suit as in claim 1, wherein a standalone remote controldevice is utilized to manually or automatically control the heat sourceto provide heat within a specific temperature range.
 7. A body suit asin claim 1, wherein an exterior side pocket is utilized for storing anyof a variety of direct current power units, including single-usebatteries and rechargeable battery packs.
 8. A one-piece, form-fittingbody suit for wearing by a person, the body suit comprising aninternalized plurality of separate, flexible pads, each pad beingsecured within pockets integral to the body suit, the pocketscorresponding to the location of various parts of the human anatomy, andfurther, each pad is fabricated with electrical wiring for connectivityto a source and means of generating vibrational sensations to theentirety of each pad.
 9. A body suit as in claim 8, wherein thevibrating means is mechanically or automatically controlled to a rangeof amplitude and frequency of vibration in accordance with controlsutilized by a wearer of the body suit
 10. A body suit as in claim 8,wherein a wrist-mounted controller device is utilized to mechanically orautomatically control a range of amplitude and frequency of vibrationproduced by the vibrating means.
 11. A body suit as in claim 8, whereinthe source and means of supplying vibration is directed and distributedto any combination of pads of the body suit.
 12. A body suit as in claim8, wherein, the means and source of supplying vibration to the padsconsists of electrically-powered carbon fiber elements embedded in thepads.
 13. A body suit as in claim 8, wherein a standalone remote controldevice is utilized to manually or automatically control the source andmeans of vibration within a specific amplitude and frequency range. 14.A body suit as in claim 8, wherein an exterior side pocket is utilizedfor storing any of a variety of direct current power units, includingsingle-use batteries and rechargeable battery packs.
 15. A one-piece,form-fitting body suit for wearing by a person, the body suit comprisingan internalized plurality of separate, flexible pads, each pad beingsecured within pockets integral to the body suit, the pocketscorresponding to the location of various parts of the human anatomy,wherein each pad is fabricated with electrical wiring for connectivityto a source and means of generating (a) heat to the pad and (b)vibrational sensation to the entirety of the pad.
 16. A body suit as inclaim 15, wherein the heat source is mechanically or automaticallycontrolled to a specific temperature range as controlled by a wearer ofthe body suit.
 17. A body suit as in claim 15, wherein a wrist-mountedcontroller device is utilized to mechanically or automatically controlthe heat source to provide heat within a specific temperature range. 18.A body suit as in claim 15, wherein the vibrating means is mechanicallyor automatically controlled to a range of amplitude and frequency ofvibration in accordance with controls utilized by a wearer of the bodysuit
 19. A body suit as in claim 15, wherein a wrist-mounted controllerdevice is utilized to mechanically or automatically control a range ofamplitude and frequency of vibration produced by the vibrating means.20. A body suit as in claim 15, wherein both (a) the source and means ofsupplying heat and (b) the means of vibrating the entirety of the padare each directed and distributed to any combination of pads of the bodysuit.
 21. A body suit as in claim 15, wherein, the means and source ofsupplying heat to the pads consists of electrically-powered carbon fiberelements embedded the pads.
 22. A body suit as in claim 15, wherein astandalone remote control device is utilized to manually orautomatically control the heat source to provide heat within a specifictemperature range and further, the source of vibration to controlvibration within a range of amplitude and frequency.
 23. A body suit asin claim 15, wherein an exterior side pocket is utilized for storing aselected variety of direct current power units, including one or moresingle-use batteries.
 24. A body suit as in claim 15, wherein anexterior side pocket is utilized for storing a selected variety ofdirect current power units, including one or more rechargeable batterypacks.